Collective Worship and Religious Education

The school complies with the legal requirements to provide a daily act of worship for all pupils. Through collective worship we aim to provide an important opportunity to underline common values that hold this Church School together as a community. Worship time is planned carefully to give a comprehensive range of experiences, which are relevant to our Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) studies. We also follow the main religious festivals through the year and have close links our local church. Children’s achievements are also given recognition during worship time. We regularly celebrate festivals and events in St Gregory’s church in Crakehall. Collective Worship is led mainly by school staff. Other leaders from local churches occasionally visit and lead Collective Worship. We feel that this act of collective worship is a very important part of our day; however parents have the right to withdraw their children from this activity. If parents make this choice, they are invited to discuss the matter with the Headteacher.

Religious Education is an essential aspect of the work in our school. We follow the guidelines given in the North Yorkshire Agreed Syllabus. Christianity is the primary religion and is taught throughout the year to all children. Alongside Christianity, children learn about the principal features of other world religions. Children are also taught to have an awareness and concern for the world around them and for their fellow human beings. Visitors often enhance the teaching of Religious Education and are welcomed to help our children learn about different religions. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE: however, by choosing to send their children to a Church of England school they should acknowledge that the ethos of the school is underpinned by Christian values.